- 4 hours ago
Whispers of Tomorrow - FULL EPISODE
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I have three brothers. One is a dragon-slaying paladin, the other is the High Major of the Citadel.
00:04The last one, he sits on the Obstian throne.
00:07To this day, they still thank the heavens for the day I was abandoned,
00:10for leaving them the only light in their dark worlds.
00:12But before that, I was born in a dirt-poor magic town.
00:15My father was obsessed with having a son to inherit his magic.
00:18The third daughter.
00:20When the witch announced I was the third daughter, there was no joy, only bitter disappointment.
00:25He refused to even look at me.
00:26He wrapped my newborn body in burrap and dragged me into the black forest to feed the wolves.
00:31But Priest Allen caught him red-handed, forcing him to spare my life with a compromise.
00:34I could at least be kept as free labor to tend herbs.
00:36Two months later, my mother was pregnant again.
00:39They spent their last pennies on bloodline potions,
00:42leaving me to survive on watered-fitted goat milk and kitchen scraps.
00:45My seven-year-old sister, Leah, looked after me with her tired little body.
00:48You could eat solid food at six months and we're as tough as a rabbit.
00:50Years later, she joked,
00:51Leah, I wasn't tough. I was starving.
00:54Finally, the boy was born.
00:55My mother was so overjoyed, you'd think she'd given birth to a prince.
00:58She ran to the markets, bragging to everyone about her son,
01:01especially in front of women who didn't have one.
01:03For the first time in her miserable life, she felt like she finally had status and glory.
01:07Nobody paid attention to me anymore.
01:09Most days, I huddled in the furthest corner of the stone path,
01:13terrified of getting in my brother's way.
01:15It's a miracle from the gods that I even survived.
01:18When I turned five, I was supposed to go to the church school to learn to read and pray,
01:22but my parents refused to pay for my books or magic candles.
01:26Pointless.
01:26They thought spending resources on a girl was pointless.
01:29I caught a terrible plague.
01:31I coughed all night long until I couldn't breathe.
01:33Before long, my brother started coughing too, and my parents panicked.
01:37Dark power!
01:38Not because of me, but because they were terrified the strange sickness would touch their precious son.
01:42They finally took us both to the village healer.
01:44The plague.
01:46Evil power has reached her lungs.
01:48She has to go to the hospital, or she won't make it.
01:50You must isolate her, or she will kill your son.
01:52On the way home, my mother held my coughing brother tight,
01:55walking so fast she was almost running.
01:56When we got back, I couldn't breathe, and my chest was in agonizing pain.
02:00I kept crying out for Mama, but she didn't even look back.
02:03She completely abandoned me.
02:04The freezing cold, the blurred vision, the gnawing hunger in my gut,
02:09and then the world went black.
02:12I woke up on a thick, warm wool blanket.
02:15Three boys were gathered around me, whispering,
02:18looking at me like I was some rare magic creature they'd found in the woods.
02:22A kind, strong woman named Isalette Brune walked in with a bowl of chicken barley soup.
02:26Drink this.
02:27I gulped it down, but the moment I finished, she said she had to take you home.
02:32In a border town like this, you can't hide who belongs to which family.
02:36Her sons followed us the whole way,
02:38calling my name and trying to make me laugh.
02:41Halfway there, a blizzard hit.
02:43The oldest, Elias, took off his oversized leather gloves and slid them onto my frozen hands.
02:48When we reached my door, I heard my sister Leah inside.
02:52Where's Ella?
02:53She's been gone all night.
02:54I hope the snow and the plague took her.
02:57At least then she wouldn't infect your brother.
03:01I let out a painful cough.
03:03When my mother opened the door and saw me, there was no relief, only pure disappointment.
03:08My father growled from his chair.
03:11God's above, she's actually still alive.
03:13I felt completely alone in the ice.
03:16Later, my father dragged me out to help sell the livestock.
03:20When I moved too slow, he swung a heavy wooden pitchfork at me.
03:24Just then, Mrs. Brune's carriage screeched to a halt.
03:27She had come back.
03:28She jumped out and stepped right between us, staring my father down with eyes like steel.
03:32She looked at my bruised face and told him,
03:34Fine, give the girl to me.
03:36I have three sons and no daughter.
03:37Since you clearly don't want her, let's settle this by the law.
03:40I'll pay whatever I can.
03:42Mrs. Brune took them straight to the village deacon's office and made them sign a contract,
03:46giving up their parental rights.
03:48Just like that.
03:48For 50 silver coins, the deal was done.
03:51I became Mrs. Brune's daughter.
03:53As I left, my birth mother, Cassandra, leaned against the porch, chewing on wild fruit.
03:59She's nothing but a plague-ridden curse.
04:02She's your problem now.
04:04Don't come back in a month asking for a refund.
04:06We aren't taking her back.
04:07My new mom, Mrs. Brune, dressed me in her youngest son's old robes
04:11and bought me wool socks and sturdy boots.
04:13For the first time in my life, I had a hot breakfast every day.
04:17At night, she tucked me in and held me until I fell asleep.
04:19She smelled like soap and campfire.
04:21I tried so hard to hold back my coughs because I didn't want to be a bother.
04:25But she just rubbed my back, using a little bit of warm, healing magic to help me breathe.
04:29My three new brothers treated me like a fragile treasure,
04:32always saving the last bite of dessert or the best spot by the fireplace for me.
04:36It all felt like a dream that was too good to be true.
04:39Every day, I waited for someone to wake me up.
04:41When the deep winter hit, Mr. Brune came home.
04:43He had been working as a stonemason at a faraway castle and only came back for the holidays.
04:47He was a big man, worn out from hard labor and silent as a brown bear.
04:51When mom introduced me, he just stared deep into my eyes.
04:54I could tell right away he didn't want me in this house.
04:57That night, they argued in the next room while I pretended to be asleep.
05:01Isolat, we're barely getting by.
05:04We can hardly feed our own sons.
05:06What were you thinking?
05:07Another mouth to feed?
05:09She barely eats anything.
05:11It's not just about the food, Isolat.
05:14Adopting a kid means being responsible for her forever.
05:18We can't afford that.
05:19I'm out of money and she needs a doctor.
05:22Her cough is getting worse.
05:24Is there anything left from your wages?
05:27After a long, heavy silence, all I heard was his frustrated sigh.
05:32The next morning, before sunrise, he headed out to work.
05:35Mom woke me up.
05:37In this town, most people can't afford church healing insurance, especially day laborers.
05:42Going to a hospital is a fortune.
05:43Usually people just pray they don't get sick.
05:46I grabbed the door frame, refusing to move.
05:48I was terrified they'd spend too much on me, decide she wasn't worth it, and send me back to Cassandra.
05:53We were stuck there until Dad walked over.
05:55Without a word, he tossed me over his shoulder and carried me into the freezing wind.
05:59Maybe the gods were finally looking out for me.
06:03Halfway there, we ran into an old healer visiting relatives.
06:06He took one look, used a glimmer of magic to check my chest,
06:09and told my parents it wasn't a plague, just severe malnutrition and exhaustion.
06:13He gave me a basic healing spell for free and didn't charge for the visit.
06:18Three days later, I could finally breathe without pain.
06:22By late December, the town was busy preparing for Christmas.
06:26There was a huge Christmas market in the square.
06:28Mom insisted on taking me since I'd never been.
06:34Meanwhile, Dad had to fix a roof for free.
06:36He hated working for nothing, but the owner owed him two months' wages.
06:40He hoped that by helping out, he might actually get paid.
06:43That's just how life is on the border.
06:45You work yourself to death all year and might still end up with nothing.
06:49Despite the struggle, the market was packed with people looking for some holiday warmth.
06:54Mom bought me a roasted honey oat cake.
06:56My brothers didn't get one, but they didn't complain.
06:59I watched the lights and the crowds, trying to memorize everything.
07:04That's when I saw him.
07:05In the middle of all the laughter, there was a little boy.
07:07Two adults were gripping his arms tightly.
07:10He was struggling, tears streaming down his face, his mouth wide open, gasping for air.
07:14But he couldn't make a sound.
07:16I pulled on Mom's sleeve.
07:18Mom, look at that boy.
07:19Something's wrong.
07:20The boy was wearing fancy noble robes, but he was barefoot.
07:23Even worse, his feet were torn up and bleeding from being dragged.
07:27My mom's face changed instantly.
07:29She locked onto those two people like a hawk.
07:31The couple looked panicked and were trying to shove the boy into a beat-up carriage.
07:35But my mom isn't the type to back down.
07:37She grabbed us and stepped right in front of the horses.
07:40The man shouted with a heavy foreign accent.
07:42This is my son!
07:43It's a family matter!
07:45But Mom looked at the boy and whispered a gentle prayer to calm him down.
07:49When she asked if he knew them, he just shook his head and sobbed.
07:53A crowd started to gather.
07:56Show us your noble documents or custody papers.
08:02Show them now or we're calling the town gods.
08:05They panicked.
08:07Realizing they were about to get caught,
08:08They shoved the boy to the ground, jumped onto the carriage, and sped away in a cloud of dust.
08:13Mom was just about to take us to the guard station when someone screamed,
08:17Isolette! Come quick!
08:19Your husband fell off the roof at the castle site!
08:21You have to get to the hospital now!
08:23Mom turned pale as a ghost.
08:25She was just a part-time teacher at the church school, barely making a few coins.
08:29Dad was the only one supporting the family.
08:32If something happened to him, we were all doomed.
08:35My brothers were spiraling, but Mom didn't break.
08:37She gave a quick report about the boy to the guards,
08:40Then turned to 11-year-old Elias, looking at him like he was a grown man.
08:45She gripped his shoulders hard.
08:47Elias, you're in charge now.
08:49Take care of your brothers and Ella.
08:53The snow started falling wildly, blurring everything in sight.
08:57Elias led us home, but the holiday joy was gone.
09:00I looked at my honey oat cake.
09:02It was already covered in frost.
09:04Elias made some oatmeal for dinner,
09:06But we were too heartbroken to eat.
09:09Only the boy we rescued finished his bowl.
09:12An old neighbor stayed the night, stroking my hair and sighing at our bad luck.
09:15The wind battered our house all night.
09:17I didn't sleep at all.
09:18At dawn, Mom returned, looking like she'd aged 10 years.
09:22She grabbed everything of value, the chickens, the tools, the last bags of grain.
09:26Then, she headed back out into the freezing storm to beg for help.
09:29Dad was dying.
09:30He needed high-level healing magic, which cost 8,000 silver coins.
09:35Dad only made 60 coins a day, but the foreman refused to pay, claiming Dad just tripped.
09:39He only tossed us two coins and lied.
09:41The rest was already paid.
09:43He knew Dad was unconscious and couldn't fight back.
09:45Mom managed to collect about 1,000 coins.
09:48As she packed for the city hospital, I ran to her with some small silver trinkets.
09:51Maybe you can sell these.
09:53That was the first time I called her mom.
09:55I was scared that if the money ran out, the love would end too.
09:58Keep them, Ella.
09:59No matter what happens, you are our daughter.
10:01Tears were filled her eyes as she touched my hair.
10:03Protect Ella and the boy.
10:05I'll find a way for your father.
10:06She gripped Elias' hand.
10:07I watched her vanish into the white wall of snow.
10:10Later, I followed Elias to the well.
10:12A group of women were gossiping, with my birth mother, Cassandra, in the middle.
10:16If the broons go broke, they'll dump that girl.
10:19She's a jinx.
10:21Everything was fine before she showed up.
10:22That brat is never coming back to my house.
10:24I won't let her bad luck touch my son.
10:26Elias squeezed my hand so hard it hurt.
10:28He stood tall in front of me.
10:30Ella is my sister.
10:31As long as I have bread, half is hers.
10:33We are never giving up on her.
10:34I cried.
10:35For the first time, I had a real home.
10:37Cassandra just rolled her eyes.
10:38You're a kid.
10:39You don't get a say.
10:40Mrs. Molly finally snapped.
10:41Shut up, Cassandra!
10:42That's your daughter!
10:43Have you no shame?
10:44I gave birth to her, but trust me, she was born for a bad ending.
10:47At lunch that day, I only took a tiny scoop of mashed potatoes.
10:51I wanted to eat less, thinking I could save money for Das treatment.
10:55But Elias saw right through me.
10:56He took my bowl, gave me a massive second scoop, and pushed the last of the scrambled eggs onto my
11:01plate.
11:02Then he gave an extra scoop to the boy we rescued.
11:05You kids need your strength.
11:06The boy struggled for a long time, his mouth moving as if he'd forgotten how to speak.
11:11So, he wasn't mute after all.
11:13His voice was raspy, like grinding gravel, probably from trauma or the sickness he caught while running away.
11:19In the evening, Leah sneaked onto our porch.
11:21She stared at my clean, warm wool clothes and asked,
11:24Did Mrs. Bruhn buy those for you?
11:26Yes.
11:26My mom bought them for me.
11:28Listen, Cassandra says if the Bruns go broke and send you back, she won't take you.
11:32She's already talking to a slave trader from the next town.
11:34She's going to sell you for cash.
11:35Ella, I'm only telling you this because we share the same blood.
11:38Mom stayed at the hospital for another night.
11:41Our neighbor, Mrs. Gwen, came to stay with us.
11:44But without mom's voice, the house felt empty, like it was covered in shadows.
11:48I had a terrible nightmare.
11:49I dreamed I was back at my birth mother's house, locked in a stealthy cage,
11:53with them standing over me, holding a leather belt.
11:56I woke up, denched in cold sweat, my heart pounding.
12:01Suddenly, there was a violent pounding on the front door.
12:04Isolette!
12:05Elias!
12:06Open up!
12:06It was the priest's voice, and he sounded panicked.
12:09My first thought, Dad is gone.
12:13Elias bolted awake and rushed to open the door.
12:15It turned out to be the parents of the boy we rescued.
12:18They were dressed in rich velvet robes, looking incredibly anxious.
12:21As soon as they saw the sleepy little boy, the lady rushed forward,
12:24pulled him into a tight hug, and burst into tears.
12:26The boy struggled for a moment before finally letting out a raspy whisper.
12:30Mother.
12:30She cried even harder at the sound of his voice.
12:32Through trembling gestures and broken words, the boy explained everything that had happened.
12:36The lady kept weeping as she held him.
12:38Then she grabbed my hands, thanking me over and over again.
12:42Ella, tell me what you want, and I'll get it for you.
12:45I just want my dad to be okay.
12:46She looked at me and asked.
12:48The priest sighed and told them about my parents' situation.
12:50They even adopted little Ella.
12:52It's just a tragedy that bad things happen to good people.
12:54The noble man who had been standing growlently.
12:56Good people deserve a good ending.
13:01Your father is going to be just fine.
13:04He patted my head.
13:05That night, the guests stayed at our house.
13:07The next morning, Count Lossant and Lady Evelyn preared their magic carriage,
13:10decorated, and took us all to the hospital in the main city.
13:13It was my first time in such a fancy carriage.
13:15We kids huddled together in the back, curious and nervous all at once.
13:18When we arrived, we saw Mom from a distance, neat on the ground.
13:21I'm sorry, but without silver, him, I can't do anything.
13:24But the cost was tway, and due Valens the dishera couldn't do a non.
13:28Count Lossant didn't say a word.
13:30He simply paid for Dad's entire high-level treatment on the spot.
13:34By afternoon, a porty guild manager arrived in a hurry with that dishonest foreman.
13:38The moment they saw the Count, they bowed low, acting with shaking with fear.
13:41He immediately paid back every cent of the wages he owed Dad for months, and trembling.
13:44I'll pay for every cost of his entire high-level treatment on the spot.
13:47Mom couldn't stop thanking them, but Lady Evelyn stepped forward and gripped her hands.
13:51Her voice breaking.
13:52If it weren't for you, Sasol would have been taken forever.
13:56I finally figured out what happened.
13:58Count Lossant and Lady Evelyn are high-ranking nobles from the border.
14:01They were traveling home for Christmas to visit family and friends.
14:04They were busy people who didn't have Cecil until later in life, so he was usually watched by servants.
14:09Since they were traveling light this time, Cecil was snatched by human traffickers the second they looked away at the
14:14market.
14:14Thanks to my mom stepping up, she didn't just save Cecil.
14:17She accidentally cured his long-term silence, too.
14:20When Dad finally came out of the healing room, the doctor announced his leg was saved.
14:23That's when it hit me.
14:24It was Christmas Eve.
14:26That night, we had a feast for a castle, specially arranged by the Count.
14:30I realized there was food a thousand times better than oat cakes and roasted meat.
14:35After the banquet, the Count's family prepared to head back to their castle.
14:38Cesso gripped my hand tightly.
14:40His voice was shaky, but he meant every word.
14:43Ella, come with me.
14:45Lady Aveline whispered with my mom for a moment, then knelt down and asked me gently,
14:50Ella, would you like to come live with us at the castle?
14:53That way, I could be with Cecil every day.
14:57I looked at my mom, terrified.
14:59Did she think I was a jinx, too?
15:01Did she want me gone?
15:03Mom's eyes were red as she touched my head.
15:06Lady Eleven and Cecil adore you, Ella.
15:08You'd have a much better life with them.
15:10I gripped her hand tight and shook my head as hard as I could.
15:13Lady Aveline gave me a hug.
15:15You're a good girl, Ella.
15:17We'll see each other again, I promise.
15:19As I watched them leave, I reached into my pocket.
15:22I realized that when she hugged me, Lady Aveline had slipped a bag of gold coins inside.
15:27Because his treatment was delayed, my dad's leg never fully healed.
15:31Even with the best doctors, he still limps when he tries to run.
15:34But back then, just saving the leg felt like a miracle.
15:37Mom tells everyone that if I hadn't noticed Cecil that day, our family would have fallen apart.
15:43You're my lucky star.
15:44Even dad calls me his lucky star now.
15:47Everyone praises me, except for my birth parents.
15:51They just scoff and say, if it wasn't for her, maybe her father wouldn't have fallen off the roof in
15:57the first place.
15:58They still don't like me, but it doesn't matter anymore.
16:02Having my mom, my dad, and my brothers love me is more than enough.
16:06Two weeks later, during the Christmas season, Count Lausanne and Lady Aveline returned with Cecil to visit us.
16:12They brought high-end gifts from their carriage-warming crystals, protective scrawls, and jars of berry honey.
16:16They even had brand new wool robes and leather boots made for all four of us.
16:21Lady Aveline spoke softly to my parents.
16:23She offered to arrange a job for dad as a guard for the castle, with a steady monthly salary.
16:27For mom, she recommended a teaching position at a new church school near the capital.
16:31If she did well, she could even become a formal member of the clergy with a permanent pension.
16:35As for us four kids, she offered to help us get into a magic academy.
16:39My parents were terrified of being a burden, but Lady Aveline just laughed and said it was the least she
16:44could do.
16:45She only asked that we visit Cecil often, because since he went home, he had stopped talking again,
16:50until he heard he was coming to see us.
16:53Then, he finally started speaking again.
16:55News of this miracle spread through the small town like wildfire.
16:58Before the Count and his wife even left, my birth parents showed up at the door.
17:03Cassandra came in with a fake smile I'd never seen before.
17:06She grabbed my hand and-
17:06You have no idea how much I suffered to give birth to Ella.
17:09I'm her real, biological mother.
17:13If you want to repay someone, it should be us.
17:15We've been thinking it over, and we just can't let our daughter go.
17:18We're taking her back.
17:19My mom panicked and tried to pry their hands off.
17:22Brune.
17:24Easy! Let go! You're hurting her!
17:28But they didn't let up. Not one bit.
17:30Count Lozon frowned, but stayed silent.
17:33Lady Aveline stepped forward, knelt down, and asked me,
17:36Are they really your biological parents?
17:38I bit my lip and didn't say a word.
17:40Of course they are! The whole town knows it!
17:43Lady Aveline looked conflicted.
17:46Look, I'm not asking for much.
17:48Just take my son to the Magic Academy and find jobs for me and my husband.
17:53Since you're nobles, that should be a piece of cake, right?
17:56Lady Aveline only looked at me.
18:00They are my parents.
18:01Cassandra's face twisted, and she started cursing.
18:03Hardy even raised his arm to slap me across the face.
18:06Right then, Dad stepped in and gave him a hard shove.
18:08You don't get touched, my daughter.
18:11He scooped me up and handed me to Mom.
18:15Take Ella and get back.
18:17Dad was usually a man of few words, but now he grabbed an iron hoe from the corner.
18:22Since Ella claims me, you aren't taking her anywhere.
18:26That's when the priest turned into a chaotic mess.
18:29The whole the priest stepped out and scolded them.
18:31You took money to give Ella to the broons.
18:34Everyone saw it.
18:35There's no taking her back now.
18:36Having lost all face, Cassandra shrieked.
18:38But she's my own and flesh and blood.
18:40No one can change that.
18:41Ella helped Savile, but it was this woman's bravery that saved him.
18:44We treat Ella well because we respect her mother's character.
18:47Don't get it twisted.
18:48She handed a box of honeyed spirit fruit paste to Cassandra.
18:52Take this for your kids.
18:54We're just ordinary lords.
18:55We don't have the power to just hand out jobs to anyone.
18:58Left with nothing, Hardy and Cassandra could only slink away in shame.
19:02I felt like I had caused so much trouble, and tears started rolling down my face.
19:07Lady Evelyn touched my head and said,
19:10Don't cry.
19:10You did exactly the right thing.
19:12My parents spent a few days packing up our lives.
19:15Once the Christmas season ended, we all piled into a carriage sent by Lady Evelyn and headed for the capital.
19:20My dad is tall and honest, and the captor of the castle guards liked him right away, so he got
19:25the job on the spot.
19:26Mom finally started at the church school, too.
19:29Lady Evelyn rented a small house for us near the Count's estate so Cecil could visit us whenever he wanted.
19:34Cecil and I started at the same church elementary school together.
19:38He was brilliant, but because he still struggled to speak clearly, the other kids would pick on him.
19:43I was terrified of the people in the big city, too, but I knew I had to protect him.
19:47Every time someone tried to bully him, I stood right in front of him.
19:49With so many kids in our house and me constantly dragging him into conversations, his speech got clearer and smooth
19:54every day.
19:55By the time we moved up to the high-level academy, he was at the top of every class, answering
19:59questions without a single stubble.
20:00The only catch?
20:01Every time he helped me with my runes or writing, he'd tease me for being a bit slow.
20:04I've never been the smartest student, and my grades were always just average.
20:08But my brothers were amazing.
20:10They were almost always at the top of their classes.
20:12Mom was incredibly busy.
20:14She poured her soul into teaching runes, never slacking for a moment.
20:17Mrs. Broon, look at my rune!
20:18Her students absolutely adored her.
20:21This is wonderful.
20:22When her first class graduated with outstanding marts, she passed the exams.
20:25She officially became a senior tutor at the grammar school.
20:27Dad remained just as dedicated.
20:29While other guards often napped during their night shifts, he patrolled until dawn.
20:33One night, while covering for a colleague, two thieves broke into the workshop.
20:36The other guards saw their blades and froze in fear.
20:39But Dad, despite his old leg injury, chased them down with a limp.
20:42He refused to let go, even after being stabbed.
20:44When the city guards arrived and caught them, they found stolen blueprints.
20:47It was the core magic circle design.
20:49A massive secret.
20:49This would have been a disaster.
20:51Losing it would have been a catastrophe.
20:52Lady Evelyn rushed to visit him.
20:54She whispered that,
20:55You must never risk your life like that again.
20:58I only begot this job because of you.
21:00I couldn't let you down.
21:01Dad just gave a humble smile.
21:02Lady Evelyn stood stunned.
21:04Unable to find words for a long time,
21:06it happened that the guard captain was retiring.
21:08The new guard captain, Hardy Bruin.
21:11It was a promotion he earned with his own blood.
21:14And no one dared to breathe a word of protest.
21:16Not long after that, my grandmother fell ill.
21:19Mom took us all back to the small town to visit her.
21:22Grandmother had two sons and one daughter.
21:24And among her grandchildren, I was the only girl.
21:27Even though I wasn't her flesh and blood, she was very kind to me.
21:32I washed her face and hands,
21:34and she pulled a small cloth bag from under her pillow,
21:37trying to give me silver coins.
21:38For you.
21:40The second day we arrived, Cassandra showed up at the door.
21:43She was with a short, stout, middle-aged man,
21:45with a face full of arrogance.
21:47What's the use of a girl learning so many runes in writing?
21:49Besides, with your talent, you'll never become a high-level mage anyway.
21:52This is Horn, the owner of the biggest meat shop in town.
21:54He has hundreds of cattle and several apprentices.
21:56He's a bit older than you, but he's wealthy.
21:58If you marry him, you'll be the mistress of the shop.
22:01You won't have to suffer with the broons anymore.
22:03Horn looked me up and down, looking very satisfied.
22:05He held up two fingers, acting like a big spender.
22:08I'm willing to pay 50 silver coins to buy you.
22:10Cassandra pulled my mother aside and whispered,
22:13Of these 50 silver coins, I'll take 35 and give you 15.
22:16That way you didn't raise this daughter for nothing.
22:17Mom nearly fainted from pure rage.
22:20Ella isn't even 16 yet.
22:22That's exactly, could Cassandra skip a beat?
22:25That's exactly why she's worth so much.
22:27Grandmother sat straight up in bed, trembling as she reached for a broom.
22:31My uncles, known for their tempers, grabbed their hoes and axes.
22:34My brothers started picking up weapons, too.
22:37With that fat face of yours, you think you're good enough for Ella?
22:41This is the only girl in our family, and we treasure her.
22:44You have no right to treat her like a trash.
22:46Mom shielded me firmly behind her back, her eyes cold and unwavering.
22:50Ella is my daughter.
22:51Her future is mine to decide.
22:53If you ever try this again, don't blame me for what happens next.
22:56Horn was scared half to death.
22:59Cassandra kept arguing, saying I had to get married eventually, and no one else would pay for me.
23:04Just then, Dad ran over with news.
23:06Ella passed the Academy's junior magic and rune exams!
23:09Mom was incredibly moved.
23:11She straightened her back and looked Cassandra in the eye.
23:14Her voice was loud and proud.
23:15Who said my Ella would never amount to anything?
23:17She passed her exams and is moving to the Intermediate Academy.
23:20One day she will study high magic and become a respected maid!
23:23Cassandra's face turned deathly pale.
23:25She couldn't find a single word to say.
23:27My uncles, aunt, and brothers saw their chance.
23:30They shoved horn and dragged Cassandra toward the gate.
23:34They kicked them out of the house without a shred of mercy.
23:37The two of them scrambled away in utter humiliation.
23:40That night, Mom held my hand.
23:42Her voice was gentle yet heavy.
23:44Ella, life is harder for us as women in this world.
23:47You must work twice as hard at your runes and magic.
23:51Only then will you have the strength to stand on your own.
23:54Cecil and I both attended the Intermediate Magic Academy.
23:57However, he passed with honors, while I barely made the grade.
24:01His classes were on the first floor, and mine were on the fourth.
24:05But every day after school, he would wait for me on the ground floor.
24:08He was brilliant at magic and incredibly handsome.
24:11Everyone's eyes were always on him, and by extension on me.
24:14The pressure was getting to me.
24:16On our way home, I finally spoke up.
24:19Cecil, maybe we should walk separately from now on.
24:21Why?
24:22We draw too much attention.
24:24He looked at me calmly.
24:25Did you master the spells the teacher taught today?
24:29Huh, no.
24:31Not yet.
24:33Then how do you have time to listen to gossip?
24:36I had no answer to that.
24:39So, just like always, he continued to wait for me.
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